Shoe leveling machine



Feb. 12, 1963 w. A. BARKER 3,076,985

SHOE LEVELING MACHINE Filed Oct. 2, 1961 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor William A. Bar/(er By his flzorney Feb. 12,: 1963 w. A. BARKER 3,076,985

SHOE LEVELING MACHINE Filed OCT,- 2, 1961 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 12,: 1963 w. A. BARKER SHOE LEVELING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 2, 1961 Feb. 12,1963 w. A. BARKER 3,076,985

SHOE LEVELING MACHINE Filed Oct. 2, 1961 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Feb. 12; 1963 w. A. BARKER SHOE LEVELING MACHINE '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed 001:. 2, 1961 Feb. 12, 1963 w. A. BARKER 3,075,985

SHOE LEVELING MACHINE Filed Oct. 2, 1961 '1 beets-Sheet 6 Fig. 14

Feb. 12, 1963 w. A. BARKER SHOE LEVELING MACHINE This invention relates generally to machines for operating on shoes and more particularly is directed to a machine suitable for leveling and imparting'a desired shape to the heel seat portion of the bottoms of shoes.

There are machines presently available for leveling by means of a freely rotatable tool adapted to be rolled progressively along the bottom of shoes presented thereto. In such machines the shoes are usually mounted on a jack which oscillates lengthwise of the shoe so that the leveling roll is progressively rolled under pressure back and forth along said shoe bottom. Such machines generally operate most efiiciently and accurately on the forepart of the shoe bottom in an operation which terminates at the heel seat portion. However, when these machines are used to level the entire shoe bottom certain disadvantages arise.

One such disadvantage is that of safeguarding the surface of the leveling roll, which is often formed of a more or less soft metal, from becoming marred when rolled over nails or pegs usually present in the heel seat portion of the shoe bottom. If the surface of the roll becomes marred, undesirable marks are impressed in the forepart portion of the shoe bottom. Another disadvantage is due to the fact that the heel end of a last and shoe is usually supported by a pin engaged in the thimble hole of the last. Due to the shape of the heel end of the shoe a substantial portion of the heel seat overhangs the thimble hole and is not directly supported against heightwise pressures created by the leveling tool, allowing the shoe last to rock and reducing the eifectiveness or" the leveling pressure.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the invention to provide a particularly convenient form of machine suitable for leveling only the heel seat portion of a shoe bottom. According to one feature, the last in the shoe is supported by means which engages an area of the last rather than only the thimble hole. in combination with such support means, the leveling tool is constrained While pressing against the heel seat by a linkage which directs the pressing forces t ward the area of the last which is being directly supported, thus avoiding the tendency of the last to be rocked out of its supported relation by the action of the leveling tool. in conjunction with this feature the machine is also provided with clamping members which engage the sides of the shoe to prevent widthwise tipping during the leveling operation.

According to another feature of the invention the heel seat portion of the shoe is located lengthwise and widthwise with respect to the support means and to the leveling tool by gaging means which are settable according to the size of the shoe to be leveled.

A further feature provides a tool adapted to be rocked lengthwise along the heel seat so that the area to be leveled is operated upon progressively. The leveling tool has an active face conforming g nerally to the desired Widthwise curvature of the heel seat and is formed by two adjustable members which are pivoted about a common axis to vary the widthwise curvature of the face to suit the size and style of shoe to be operated upon. Another feature imparts to the tool sustained vibratory movements lengthwise of the shoe as the tool is rocked for causing the active face to exert kneading forces as it levels the shoe bottom.

atnt l ice A still further feature involves the support mechanism in which the support is moved heightwise by a spring to en age the shoe bottom with the tool, the support being thereafter locked against movement. To ensure proper disposition of the shoe bottom with respect to the active face of the tool, a gage cooperates with the tool to limit the heightwise movement of the shoe and support.

The above and other features of tie invention including various novel details of construction and combination of parts will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings and thereafter specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the upper portion of an illusxative machine embodying the invention and showing the positions occupied by a leveling tool and other parts therein before the machine is set into operation;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing only the leveling tool and certain other parts associated therewith in the positions assumed at a given state in the course of operation of the illustrative machine;

PEG. 3 is a front elevation, partly in section of the machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7 are views representing successive positions of the operating parts for rocking the leveling tool;

PKG. 8 is a side elevation, partly in section, on an enlarged scale of parts of the last supporting post assemy;

FIG. 9 is a front elevation of the leveling tool with parts removed;

FIG. ll) is a section on line X-X of PEG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation, on an enlarged scale, of part of the heel gaging and centering device;

Flu. 12 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a front elevation, on an enlarged scale, of one of the shoe clamping members;

PEG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13, but showing the mechanism in its clamping position;

FIG. 15 is a left side elevation of the mechanism seen in FIG. 14; and

FIG. 16 is a timing chart representing the respective functions of the principal operating parts of the illustrative machine during one complete cycle of operation.

'1' he illustrative machine includes a frame structure 2 (FIGS. 1 and 3) adapted to rest on the floor and of which structure only the upper part thereof is shown in the drawings. As will be described in detail hereinafter, there is mounted Within the structure 2 a heightwise movable jack post 4 which carries at. its upper end, above the frame 2, a table 6 for supporting a last L. The table 6 serves as a support for the inverted last L, With a shoe S thereon. The heel seat portion of the shoe bottom faces upwardly with the forepart of the last and shoe extending forwardly of the machine towards the operator.

Above the jack post there is arranged a leveling tool 8 which, as will be described fully hereinafter, is provided with an active face 9 arranged to operate over and to shape the heel seat portion of the shoe bottom when a rocking motion is imparted to the tool. The leveling tool 3 is arranged to perform a back and forth rocking movement lengthwise of the heel seat during one complete operating cycle of the machine. initially the tool 8 is in a forwardly inclined position as shown in P16. 1, but during the operating cycle the tool is rocked rearwardly into the position shown in FIG. 2, and then rocked back again into the position of PEG. 1.

The jack post 4 is arranged so that initially it occupies a position which enables the operator to introduce, by

scrapes hand, the last and shoe freely into a desired position under the tool 8 with the last above the table 6 on the head of the post 4. The operator, by actuating a treadle (not shown), initiates the operation of the machine.

whereupon the jack post 4 is moved up by a spring it (FIG, 1) so that the table 6 rises into engagement with the last. Shortly thereafter a pair of side clamping members T2 are swung into engagement with the opposite sides of the shoe on the last to prevent undesirable width- Wise rocking of the last and shoe, as will be subsequently described. Thereafter, by mechanism which also will. be hereinafter described, the tool 8 is caused to perform its rocking movements referred to above for leveling the heel seat portion of the bottom of the shoe.

For controlling and bringing about the operation of the leveling tool 8 and also other parts of the illustrative machine, there is provided a power driven cam shaft 14 (FIGS. 1 and 3) extending transversely of the machine. The shaft has fixed thereto an eccentric 16 (FIGS. 4-7) which is received in a cooperating sheave portion 18 of, a lever 19. The upper end of the lever is pivotally con nected by a link 2% to the lower arm 22 of a bell crank lever 23 (see also FIG. 1). The lever 23 is pivotally mounted on an eccentric portion 24 of a cross-shaft 25 and has an upwardly extending arm connected to the rearward end of a carrier arm 26 on which is mounted the leveling tool 8. The forward end of the carrier arm supports a shaft 28 on which there is pivotally suspended a carrier body 3t? provided with parallel guideways 32 (FIGS. 3 and 9) which receive matching portions of a holder 154 for the tool 8. The body 3% also has formed thereon depending arms 34- which are connected by a pair of links 36 to brackets 33 upstanding from the machine structure. The outer end portions of the shaft 23 are also supported by two links 49 which at their lower ends are pivoted on pins 42 fixed in lugs 43 on the machine structure. The pivot pins 42 for the links 4t lie closely to the lower face of the heel end of the last L when the last is supported on the post table 6. Thus, the links 40 constitute members by which the leveling tool 8 is constrained while its active face 9 is operating upon the heel seat portion of the shoe bottom. By such constraint, the thrust between the tool and the heel seat portion is exerted in directions which extend through the heel end portion of the body of the last, and within the area of the table 6 on which the last is supported, in a manner preventing undesired tipping movements of the last on the table during the operation of the tool.

50 that a rocking movement may be imparted to the tool 8 the lever 19 that is driven by the eccentric 16 is also mounted on a link 44 fulcrumed on a pivot 45' fixed to theside frame of the machine. Referring particularly to FIG. 4, the eccentric l6 and associated parts are shown in their initial positions corresponding to the arrangement of parts shown in FIG. 1 wherein the leveling tool 8, is in a forwardly inclined position preparatory to performing its leveling operation on the heel seat portion of the shoe bottom. As the shaft 1d, and therewith the eccentric 16, moves clockwise through 90 into the position shown in FIG. 5, the arm 22 of the bell crank lever 23 moves clockwise only slightly. Referring also to the timing chart in FIG. 16, it may be seen that during this stage the jack post 4 is permitted to rise under the action of the spring it), as will be hereinafter clescribed, followed by the side clamping members 12 being brought into clamping relation with the shoe. Upon iovement of the eccentric 16 through a further 90, i.e. into the position shown in FIG. 6, the bell crank lever 23 is moved in counterclockwise direction pivoting on the portion 24 of the shaft 25 moving the carrier arm 26 to theleft and swinging the links 4% and the shaft assembly 28 about the pivot pins 42. Since the lower end of the leveling tool 3 is held by the links 36, the tool is rocked .until it assumes the rearwardly inclined position shown in FIG. 2. This movement of the tool 3 represents" the first of its two strokes that are to be performed during one complete cycle of operation of the machine. The second stroke, i.e. rocking of the tool 8 from the position shown in FIG. 2 towards and into the position represented by FIG. 1, is effected during the time that the eccentric 16 moves through yet another i.e. from the position shown in PEG. 6 into the position represented by FIG. 7. During this time, the bell crank lever 23 is swung clockwise whereupon the carrier arm 26 is moved toward the right and in so doing rocks the tool 8 about its pivotal connection with the links 36 until the tool returns substantially to its forwardly inclined position seen in FIG. 1. As the eccentric 16 completes it cycle, i.e. when it is moving through a final 96 from the position shown in FIG. 7 into the position firepresented in PEG. 4, the linkage including the parts 15 44 and 2t? imparts but little movement to the bell crank lever 23 and it is during this stage that the jack post 4 is lowered and the side clamping members $12 are released from engagement with the shoe, as will be described hereinafter. It may be seen that as the leveling tool 8 is rocked back and forth along the heel seat of the shoe in the way described above, one of the effects of the links 40, when acting in conjunction with the links 36 and the carrier arm 26, is to constrain the tool 3 to exert a thrust acting on the heel seat portion of the shoe bottom such that there is no appreciable tendency for the last to tip out of its supported position on the table 6 at the head of the jack post t.

The jack post 4 (FIGS. 1 and S) is received in a bore 47 in a cylindrical member 46, the jack post being yieldably supported therein by means of a plurality of spring washers 48. The table 6 (FIG. 8) is supported for rocking movement on rollers 7 carried by the upper portion of the jack post 4, said rocking movement being limited by a pin and slot arrangement 9. After conforming itself to the position of the last, the table 6 is locked against further rocking movement when pressure is applied thereto causing springs 11 supporting the rollers 7 to be compressed and consequently causing matching teeth 13 in the convex surface of the table and the concave surface of the post 4 to mesh together. The cylindrical member 46 is slidably received in a bore Ed in the frame structure 2 and at its lower end is connected by a link 54 to one end of a lever 56. The lever 56 is pivotally mounted at its center on an arm 58 of a cam lever 59 which is fulcrumed at 6% on the main structure 2. The other end of the cam lever has mounted thereon a cam follower 61 arranged to engage an open cam 62 fixedly mounted on the shaft 14", the cam follower 61 being held in engagement with the cam 62 by means of a spring 64' The other end of the lever 56 is connected by a link 66 to an eccentric 68 pivoted on a stud 69 fixed in the main structure 2 (see also FIG. 8). The eccentric 6t; carries a pawl 79 which is arranged to be held, under the action of a spring '72, against a rack '73 formed on one side of the member 46 to lock the jack post assembly against downward movement while the tool presses on the heel seat portion of the shoe.

The construction and arrangement of the jack post assembly is such that, as the shaft 14 rotates, the cam lever 59 swings in a counterclockwise direction (as seen in FIG. 1) as the cam follower 60 is urged to remain in engagement with the open cam 62 by the action of the spring 64. This movement of the cam lever moves the arm 53 and the pivot of the arm 56 upward first causing the jack post 4 to be raised by'the spring 10 alone, from its lowermost inoperative position to engage the table 6 with the heel end face of the last. To determine the extent of upward movement of the jack post 4 as it moves from inoperative to operative position, a height gage '74 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is provided, in the form of an abutment secured to a downwardly extending member 75 integral with the carrier arm 26. The gage 74, together with the active face 9 of the leveling tool 8, locatesthe shoe bottom at a predetermined height in relation to the leveling tool. The mounting of the gage is such that it is withdrawn from close proximity to the shoe bottom as the tool rocks progressively toward the heel end to the position seen in FIG. 2. When the jack post has reached its upper limit (i.e. when the table 6 has engaged the last L and is holding the shoe against the tool it and gage '74 by the action of the spring ltl) further movement of the arm $8 serves to urge the pawl it! (through the link 66) into engagement with the rack 73 on the cylindrical member 46. In this manner the jack post assembly is locked in position to support the last and shoe against the pressure of the leveling tool. At the end of the operating cycle the sequence of movements set out above is reversed to retract the jack post, a stop pin '77 (FIG. 8) being provided in the outer member of the eccentric against which an end of the pawl member 7% abuts to cause the pawl 7% to become disengaged from the rack 73.

For the purpose of operating the side clamps 12 there is fixedly mounted on the shaft il -l a barrel cam 7:? (FIG. 3) which is engaged by a cam follower 7% mounted on one arm of a bell crank lever 80. The bell crank lever 30 is fulcrumed on the main structure 2' and on its other arm pivotally supports a substantially horizontal lever 82. The opposite ends of the lever 82 are connected by rods 84- to arms 36 (see also FIGS. 13 and 14) each individually mounted on a shaft secured in lugs integral with the frame structure 2;. Each arm 86 is individually connected to an associated side clamping member 12 by a link 92, the link being secured to the arm as by a pin and slot connection 93, permitting lost motion as will be seen. Each side clamping member 12 is provided with a rack 96 arran ed to be engaged by a pawl 98 formed on an associated eccentric 99 to provide a means for locking the side clamping means in position against the shoe during the operation of the machine. Rotation of the shaft 14 and cam 7s causes the bell crank lever St) to swing in a clockwise direction (as seen in FIG. 3) so that downward movement of the lever 32, rods 84 and arms 36 allows the side clamping members 12 to swing inwardly against the shoe under the action of a spring tilt connected between the members 12. The arms as and the links 92 produce a toggle effect also to urge the side clamping members 12 firmly against the sides of the shoe, as seen in FIG. 3. At the same time the downward movement of the arms 86 eifects the downward movement of the eccentrics 96. Each arm 86 is provided with a recess W2 which receives a pin Itdd on the associated eccentric 95?, said eccentrics being spring-loaded to maintain the pins llfi l in contact with the bottom of the recesses 19%. After the members 12 engage the sides of the shoe the arms 86 continue to move until the pawls 98 engage the racks as. The pin and slot connections 93 between the arms do and links )2 provide lost motion in the arrangement in order to allow the side clamping members 12 to engage the shoe store the pawls )3 engage the racks as at the beginning of the operation and to allow the pawls to disengage from the racks before the side clamping members 12 move outwardly away from the last at the end of the cycle of operation.

The mechanism for driving the cam shaft 1 includes a suitable motor (not shown) which drives a shaft lilo through a belt ltld and a pulley 17.0 fixed on the shaft. The pulley forms part of a single revolution clutch of any suitable type and which is designated by the cit acter H2. The clutch tripping mechanism includes a bell crank lever 113 fixed on a pivot H4 journals-d in the frame structure 2. One arm of the bell crank acts as a trip for the single revolution clutch 112. while the other arm its is connected through a rod 113 to a treadle (not shown). The arm 115 is urged in a clockwise direction towards its locking position (as seen in FIG. 1) by a spring 128. The pivot lid also has fixed thereto an arm 3122 connected by a link 124 to an arm 126 pivotally mounted at 127 on the main frame and carrying a roller 12% which is arranged to engage a cam 13% fixed on the shaft 14. The cam 13% is provided with a recess 132 into which the roller 128 is received to cause the clutch 112 to be disengaged after one revolution of the shaft 14. For imparting drive to the shaft 14, a worm 134 is fixed on a shaft 133 connected to the driven portion of the clutch 3112, the worm engaging a worm wheel 1% fixed on the shaft 14.

The shaft res is also provided with a pulley 13% connected by a belt 149 to a pulley 142 fixed on a shaft 144- mounted for rotation in a sleeve 146 secured to the frame structure 2. At the right-hand end (as seen in FIG. 1) of the shaft 144 is fixed a bevel gear 148 arranged to mesh with another bevel gear 150 fixed on the cross-shaft 25. The cross-shaft 25 as previously discussed has an eccentric portion 24 on which is pivoted the bell crank lever 23. Thus, as the shaft 25 is rotated, a sustained rapid vibratory movement, acting generally in directions lengthwise of the shoe is imparted to the tool rocking members to exert a kneading effect upon the material of the heel seat as the tool acts progressively thereon. Balance weights 152 are fixedly mounted on the cross-shaft 25 to counteract the imbalance on the shaft caused by the eccentric portion 24-.

The leveling tool 8, supported in the carrier block 3 is constructed and arranged to provide an active face h (FIGS. 9 and 10) adapted to be rocked lengthwise along the heel seat of the shoe. The widthwise curvature of the active face may be varied to suit different desired widthwise contouring of the heel seat portion to be operated on, as will be presently described. The tool 8 comprises a holder 154 to which are attached by springs 156 two curved blocks 158 which together form the active face 9 of the leveling tool. The curved blocks 158 have portions which are complementary to a semi-cylindrical recess in the main holder 154. Two end plates are secured at the ends to the holder to retain the blocks 15% and also to receive a shaft 162 which is provided with a ball shaped portion 15 The portion 164 is provided with a number of indentations 166 adapted to be engaged by two semi-spherical studs 168 fixed in the curved blocks 15% as best seen in FIGS. 9 and 10. The shaft 162 at one end is provided with a hand lever 170 for the purpose of rota 'ng the shaft 162 and thus causing indentations 3166 of varying depth to be presented to the studs 163 so as to vary the effective widthwise curvature of the face 9. Urged towards the holder 15% by the action of the springs 156, the curved blocks 15% adjust their positions relative to each other by pivoting on a pin E72 positioned at the center of curvature of the sur faces which engage the recess in the holder 154. in this way the tool 8 is adjustable to provide an active face 9 having a particular radius suitable to the size and style of shoe to be operated on.

For lengthwise positioning of the shoe to center the heel seat over the support table 6, the machine is provided with an end gage 1'74 (FIGS. 11 and 12) which is mounted for adjustment lenkthwise according to the size of shoe to be operated upon. The gage is mounted in guideways on an upright portion of the frame and on its lower side is provided with rack teeth 176 engaged by a gear 173 fixed on a shaft 1S5). The shaft also has fixed thereto an arm 18?. by which the shaft may be rorated for adjusting the position of the gage. For fixing the gage in adjusted position the arm is locked by means of a detent 131 (FIG. 3) which may be engaged in any one of a plurality of slots 133 in a fixed plate 135. The gage 174 has slidably mounted on its upper surface a yieldable slide 187 which at its front end is \!-shaped to provide a pair of forwardly extending limbs adapted to engage opposite sides of the heel end portion of the shoe to center the shoe widthwise with respect to the tool 3 and support table 6. The slide 187 is urged forwardly relative to the gage by a spring 189 and so is yieldable screens in order that the heel end portion of the shoe to be operated upon may be allowed to abut against the end gage 174 regardless of its position in the V-shaped slide 187.

When the heel end of the shoe is correctly positioned against the gage 174 the operator depresses the treadle to trip the single revolution clutch 112 causing the shaft 14 to rotate. The action of the cam 62 and cam follower 61 causes the jack post 4 to rise until the shoe on the last engages the height gage 74 and the leveling tool 8. At the same time as the pawl 79 is engaging the rack 73 to lock the jack post in position, the barrel cam 76 is operative to cause the side clamps 12 to engage and be locked against the opposite sides of the shoe on the last. When the shoe is firmly clamped in position, the eccentric 16 causes the tool 8 to perform a single back and forth rocking movement by which the active face 9 of the tool is caused to operate progressively over and to shape the heel seat portion of the shoe bottom while the last is supported on the table 6. The arrangement of the constraining linkage is such that the tool acts progressively against the heel seat portion with the pressure applying forces acting upon the body of the last in directions tending continually to prevent the last from tipping out of its supported position on the table 6. In the last 90 of rotation of the cam shaft the bell crank lever 22 is caused to move only very slightly and the cams '76 and 62, respectively, are active first to release the grip of the side clamps 12 on the shoe and then to cause the jack post to be lowered. The clutch is then automatically disengaged by the interaction of the roller 12% and the cam 130 and the machine is stopped in its original position in readiness for the next operating cycle on another shoe.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a machine for leveling the heel seat portion of a shoe on a last, a member supporting the heel end of the last opposite said heel seat, a leveling tool engaging the bottom of the shoe and mounted for rocking movements lengthwise along the heel seat, and means constraining the tool from a point adjacent said supporting member for directing the forces pressing the tool against the heel seat continually toward the area of the last supported by said member.

2. In a machine for leveling the heel seat portion of a shoe on a last, a member having a surface supporting the heel end of the last by engagement with a substantially flat surface of the last opposite said heel seat, a leveling tool engaging the bottom of the shoe and mounted for rocking movements lengthwise along the heel seat, and means constraining the tool from a point adjacent said supporting member for directing the forces pressing the tool against the heel seat continually toward the surface of the last engaged by said member.

3. In a machine for leveling the heel seat portion of a shoe on a last, a member supporting the heel end of the last opposite said heel seat, a leveling tool engaging the bottom of the shoe and mounted for rocking movements lengthwise along the heel seat, and linkage fulcrumed on an axis fixed adjacent the supporting member and connected to the tool to follow its rocking movements for confining the forces exerted between the tool and the shoe bottom to directions continually intersecting the area of the last engaging the supporting member.

4. In a machine for leveling the heel seat portion of a shoe on a last, a member having a surface supporting the heel end of the last by engagement with a substantially flat surface of the last opposite said heel seat, a leveling the tool and the shoe bottom to directions continually intersecting the surface of the last engaged with the supporting member.

5. In a machine for leveling the heel seat portion of a shoe on a last, a leveling tool mounted for rocking movements lengthwise along said heel seat, a support engageable with an area of the last opposite said heel seat for holding the heel seat in pressing engagement with said tool, a heel gage adjustable according to the size of shoe to be leveled for centering the heel seat over the support, means constraining the tool from a point adjacent said support for directing the forces pressing the tool against the heel seat continually toward the area of the last engaging said support, and means engageable with the sides of the heel end of the shoe to prevent widthwise rocking of the shoe as the heel seat is being leveled.

6. In a machine for leveling the heel seat portion of a shoe on a last, a leveling tool mounted for rocking movements lengthwise along said heel seat, a support engageablc with an area of therlast opposite said heel seat for holding the heel seat in pressing engagement with said tool, a heel gage adjustable according to the size of shoe to be leveled for centering the heel seat over the support, linkage fulcrumed on an axis fixed adjacent the support and connected to the tool to follow its rocking movements for causing the tool to exert pressure progressively along the heel seat in directions continually intersecting the area of the last engaging the support, and means engageable With the sides of the heel end of the shoe to prevent widthwise rocking of the shoe as the heel seat is being leveled.

7. In a machine for leveling the bottom of a shoe upon a last, a tool for leveling said bottom comprising a pair of blocks having surfaces forming an active face adapted to rock lengthwise along said shoe bottom, said surfaces having a widthwise shape corresponding substantially to the desired widthwise shape of the shoe bottom, and means for varying the curvature of the widthwise shape of said face by pivoting said blocks in equal and opposite increments about an axis extending lengthwise of said shoe.

8. In a machine for leveling the heel seat portion of a shoe on a last, a tool for leveling said heel seat comprising a pair of blocks having surfaces forming an active face adapted to rock lengthwise along said heel seat, said surfaces having a widthwise shape corresponding substantially to the desired widthwise shape of the heel seat, and means for varying the curvature of the widthwise contour of said face by pivoting said blocks in equal and opposite increments about a common axis extending lengthwise of said heel seat.

9. In a machine for leveling the bottom of shoes on a last, a leveling tool having an active face adapted to rock lengthwise along said shoe bottom, said face also having a variable widthwise curvature corresponding ubstantially to the widthwise curvature of the shoe bottom, said tool comprising a holder having a semicylindrical recess the axis of which extends lengthwise of the shoe bottom, a pair of blocks having portions complementary to and received in said recess, said blocks also having surfaces forming said active face, and means for pivoting said blocks in equal and opposite increments about an axis coinciding with the center of curvature of said recess for varying the widthwise curvature of said active face.

10. In a machine for leveling the heel seat portion of a shoe on a last, a leveling tool having an active face adapted to rock lengthwise along said heel seat, said face also having a variable widthwise curvature corresponding substantially to the widthwise shape of the heel seat, said tool comprising a holder having a semicylindrical recess the axis of which extends lengthwise of said heel seat, a pair of blocks having portions complementary to and received in said recess, said blocks also having surfaces forming said active face, and means for pivoting said blocks in equal and opposite increments 9 about an axis coinciding with the center of curvature of said recess for varying the widthwise curvature of said active face.

11. In a machine for leveling the heel seat portion of a shoe on a last, a holder, a pair of blocks mounted in the holder and having surfaces forming an active face adapted to rock lengthwise along the said heel seat, said surfaces having a widthwise contour corresponding substantially to the desired widthwise contour of the heel seat, and means for varying the curvature of the widthwise contour of said face by pivoting said blocks with respect to said holder in equal and opposite increments about a common axis extending lengthwise of said heel seat, means mounting said holder for rocking movements lengthwise of the shoe, a member supporting the heel end of the last against the pressing action of the active face, and means constraining the holder from a point adjacent said supporting member for pressing the active face against the heel seat by forces continually directed within the area of the last engaging said member.

12. In a machine for leveling the heel seat portion of a shoe on a last, a holder, a pair of blocks mounted in the holder and having surfaces forming an active face adapted to rock lengthwise along the said heel seat, said surfaces having a widthwise contour corresponding substantially to the desired widthwise contour of the heel seat, and means for varying the curvature of the widthwise contour of said face by pivoting said blocks with respect to said holder in canal and opposite increments about a common axis extending lengthwise of said heel seat, means mounting said holder for rocking movements lengthwise of the shoe, a member supporting the heel end of the last against the pressing action of the active face, and linkage pivoted on an axis fixed adjacent the supporting member and connected to said holder to follow its rocking movements for causing said active face to exert pressure progressively along the heel seat in directions continually intersecting the area of the last engaging the supporting member.

13. in a machine for leveling shoe bottoms, a leveling tool having an active face adapted to rock lengthwise along the bottom of a shoe presented thereto, and means for vibrating said tool in directions generally lengthwise of the shoe as the tool is rocked thereby causing said active face to exert a kneading effect on the shoe bottom material as the tool is progressively rocked along said bottom.

14. In a machine for leveling the heel seat portion of the bottom of a shoe on a last, a tool having an active face adapted to level said heel seat, a support engaging the substantially flat surface of the last opposite said heel seat, means moving the support toward said tool for engaging the heel seat with said active face, means rocking said tool for rocking said active face lengthwise along the heel seat, means vibrating said tool in directions lengthwise of the shoe as the tool is rocked for causing the active face to exert kneading forces as it levels said heel seat, and mans constraining said tool from a point adjacent said support for directing the forces pressing the tool against the heel seat continually toward said surface engaged by said support.

15. In a machine for leveling the heel seat portion of the bottom of a shoe on a last, a tool having an active face adapted to level said heel seat, a support engaging the substantially flat surface of the last opposite said heel seat, means moving the support toward said tool for engaging the heel seat with said active face, means rocking said tool for rocking said active face lengthwise along the heel seat, means acting on said rocking means for imparting to said tool sustained vibratory movements in lengthwise directions as the tool is rocked thereby causing the active face to exert kneading forces as it levels said heel seat, a linkage fulcrumed on an axis fixed adjacent said support and connected to the tool to follow its rocking movements for constraining the forces exerted id 1 between the tool and the shoe bottom to directions continually intersecting the area of the support engaging the last.

16. In a machine for leveling the bottom of a shoe on a last, a leveling tool having an active face adapted to rock lengthwise along said bottom, a gage adjacent said tool and cooperating with said active face to determine the heightwise disposition of the shoe bottom, a support movable heightwise of the last and engaging the substantially flat surface of the last opposite the heel seat portion thereof, a spring adapted to move said support heightwise toward said tool and said gage, a pawl adapted to lock said support against movement, common means for holding said support in retracted position away from said tool and gage and for holding said pawl retracted from said support permitting placement of a shoe to be leveled, and means for operating said common means to release said support for movement by said spring until the shoe bottom is engaged with the tool and the gage, said common means thereafter being effective to release said pawl for locking the support with the shoe bottom so engaged.

17. In a machine for leveling the bottom of a shoe on a last, a tool having an active face adapted to rock lengthwise along said bottom, a support movable heightwise of the last and engaging the substantially flat surface of the last opposite the heel seat portion thereof, a spring adapted to move said support heightwise toward said tool, a pawl adapted to locl; said support against movement, common means for holding said support in retracted position away from said tool and for holding said pawl retracted from said support permitting placement of a shoe to be leveled, and means for o crating said common means to release said support for movement by said spring until the shoe bottom is engaged with the tool, said common means thereafter being effective to release said pawl for locking the support with the shoe bottom so engaged.

18. In a machine for leveling the bottom of a shoe on a last, a tool having an active face adapted to rock lengthwise along said bottom, a support movable heightwise of the last and engaging the substantially flat surface of the last opposite the heel seat portion thereof, a spring adapted to move said support heightwise toward said tool, a pawl adapted to lock said support against movement, common means for holding said support in retracted position away from said tool and for holding said pawl retracted from said support permitting placement of a shoe to be leveled, and means for operating said common means to release said support for movement by said spring until the shoe bottom is engaged with the tool, said common means thereafter being effective to release said pawl for locking the support with the shoe bottom so engaged, said operating means being effective after the shoe bottom is leveled first to release the pawl from said support and thereafter to retract said support ermitting removal of the leveled shoe.

19. In a machine for leveling the bottom of a shoe on a last, a tool having an active face adapted to rocl; lengthwise along said bottom, a support movable heightwise of the last and engaging the substantially flat surface of the last opposite the heel seat portion thereof, a spring adapted to move said support heightwise toward said tool, a pawl adapted to lock said support against movement, common means for holding said support in retracted position away from said tool and for holding said pawl retracted from said support permitting placement of a shoe to be leveled, means for operating said common means to release said support for movement by said spring until the shoe bottom is engaged with the tool, said common means thereafter being effective to release said pawl for locking the support with the shoe bottom so engaged, and means constraining aid tool from a point adjacent said support for directing the forces pressing the tool against the heel seat continually toward said surface engaged by said support.

20. In a machine for leveling the heel seat portion of a shoe on a last, a leveling tool mounted for rocking movements lengthwise along said heel seat, a support engageable with an area of the last opposite said heel seat for holding the heel seat in pressing engagement with said tool, means constraining the tool from a point adjacent said support for holding the tool in pressing engagement as it is rocked along the heel seat and a heel gage adjustable according to the size of shoe to be leveled for centering the heel seat over the support and relative to said point for causing the forces pressing the tool against the heel seat to be directed continually toward the area of the last engaging said suppo t- 21. In a machine for leveling the heel seat portion of a shoe on a last, a leveling tool mounted for rocking movement lengthwise along said heel seat, a support engageable with an area of the last opposite said heel seat for holding the heel seat in pressing engagement with said tool, linkage fulcrurned on an axis fixed adjacent the support and connected to the tool to follow its rocking movements for retaining the tool in pressing engagement as it is rocked along the heel seat, a heel gage adjustable according to the size of shoe to be eveled for centering the heel seat over the support and relative to said axis for causing the forces pressing the tool against the heel seat to be directed continually toward the area of the last engaging said support References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 659,399 Johnson et a1 Oct. 9, 1900 958,057 Woodward May 17, 1910 1 ,254,256 Meyer Jan. '22, 1918 

13. IN A MACHINE FOR LEVELING SHOE BOTTOMS, A LEVELING TOOL HAVING AN ACTIVE FACE ADAPTED TO ROCK LENGTHWISE ALONG THE BOTTOM OF A SHOE PRESENTED THERETO, AND MEANS FOR VIBRATING SAID TOOL IN DIRECTIONS GENERALLY LENGTHWISE OF THE SHOE AS THE TOOL IS ROCKED THEREBY CAUSING SAID 